From LA to NYC: Top Real Estate Agents of 2022
The luxury real estate market has never been hotter. Low mortgage rates and a tight market mean demand is high and Variety’s Showbiz Real Estate Elite are the forefront of the bubbling markets in Southern California, New York and South Florida.
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According to Compass’ “Ultra Luxury Report,” in 2021 the greater Los Angeles region had the most residential sales transaction volume of $10 million and above homes (totaling $10.6 billion) any U.S. market, a 97.5% increase in sales volume compared to 2020.
Senada Adzem
Top five sales: $90 million for 1020 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, Fla.; purchase for $23 million and resale for $30 million of 3715 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach, Fla.; and handled the sale ($19 million) and resale (a few months later for $23 million) of the Rockybrook Estate at 9192 Rockybrook Way in Delray Beach, Fla. “We’ve had unprecedented access to off-market listings and great relationships with other top agents. This helps explain why we closed 2021 with $570 million in sales volume — more than double our volume from 2020. As long as wealthy clients view Florida as a tax and lifestyle haven, the luxury real estate market will thrive,” says Adzem.
Lourdes Alatriste
Executive Director of Luxury Sales, South Florida
Douglas Elliman
Alatriste nailed more than $200 million sold in 2021, including 900 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada, for a record $17 million, an ocean-front penthouse in Key Biscayne for $18 million and a waterfront home in Coral Gables for $16.87 million. Past clients include Roy and Lea Black, Chris Bosch, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning and Nicky Jam. Current top listings include a 4.6-acre waterfront estate for $39.9 million. “There has been a significant impact on the industry where property values have almost doubled while inventory is depleting. 2022 will be legendary. We will see an increase of international buyers relocating to Florida in addition to the continued influx of domestic buyers,” Alatriste says.
Oren and Tal Alexander
Douglas Elliman
With $5 billion in career sales, the team racked up more than $1.5 billion in resale and new development closed sales across New York, Miami, the Hamptons and Aspen in 2021, including $700 million in South Florida, $750 million in New York and $100 million in the Hamptons. High-profile clients: Tommy Hilfiger, Andre Balazs and Jeff Zalanick. “We expect significant price appreciation as inventory is being absorbed at a very high velocity. COVID has made everyone appreciate their home so much more that people have doubled down on what they would have budgeted for a home pre-COVID. We are proud to have helped break price ceilings in luxury markets such as Miami, SoHo and Aspen,” they say in a statement.
Matthew and Josh Altman
Douglas Elliman
Matthew and Josh Altman consistently rank as the No. 1 agents in the region, and specialize in selling and marketing the world’s most iconic properties. They’re also the enduring stars of Bravo’s” ‘Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.” They sold over $1.35 billion in 2021, adding to $5 billion-plus career total, and expanded to Newport Beach and San Diego. Other milestones: double-ended the Razor House in La Jolla, listed at $24.99 million; sold the most expensive home in Orange County’s Three Arch Bay history, 56 N. La Senda Dr., Laguna Beach, listed at $19.99 million; and sold 9860 La Jolla Farms Rd. for $17.25 million. “The luxury market is extremely strong right now and we see this year as a huge opportunity for buyers, sellers and investors to make money,” they share in a statement.
Cindy Ambuehl
Compass
Last year, Ambuehl racked up sales of some $298 million. Notable deals include 1116 Napoli Dr., Pacific Palisades, at $25 million; 2909 Mandeville Canyon Rd., at $5.5 million (sold for 48.8% above asking); 694 Walther Way, at $14.5 million; 601 Amalfi Dr., Pacific Palisades, at $13.6 million; 175 N. Tigertail Rd., at $11.2 million; 625 Kingman Ave., Santa Monica, at $6 million; and 719 San Lorenzo St., Santa Monica, at $4 million (record-breaking dollar per square foot in Santa Monica Canyon). “Real estate lags behind the stock market by about a year,” says Ambuehl. “The stock market has corrected by 25%, meaning we will soon see a healthy correction. Regarding COVID, we quickly adapted to new technology, ways of communication, and improvised socially distanced showings.”
Santiago Arana
Principal
The Agency
Has career sales of more than $3 billion, with 2021 sales topped at $581 million. Arana’s notable deals include 242 N. Carmelina Ave. (double-ender) at $22.2 million; 609 E. Channel (record sale) at $48.67 million; 14180 Rustic Lane at $25.5 million; and 1401 San Remo at $18 million. Top three listings: 1525 San Vicente Blvd., 3314 and 3328 Serra Rd. and 314 N Barrington Ave. High-profile clients include Lebron James, Petra Ecclestone, Larry David, Rick Caruso, Lady Gaga, Anthony Hopkins, “Bond King” Jeffrey Gundland and Alessandra Ambrosio. “2022 will be not much different than 2021 in the luxury market; just better,” Arana says. “All the fundamentals are aligned to be an incredible year where more records will be broken.”
Noble Black
Douglas Elliman
Black, with career sales of more than $1.5 billion, scored $315 million-plus in 2021 sales. Top deals: Walker Tower, 18A (last asking $24.99 million); the Fitzroy, penthouse (last asking $17 million); Madison Square Park Tower, 59 (last asking $14.25 million); 46 at One 57 (last asking $14.2 million); One 57, 44A (last asking $13.8 million); City Prairie, 6 (last asking $12 million); One Vandam, penthouse (last asking $10 million). Biggest sale to date is penthouse 60 at 520 Park Ave., at $73 million. Celeb clients include Scarlett Johansson, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. “2022 is off to a great start with the percentage of sales attributable to the luxury sector larger than at this time last year,” Black says.
Susan Breitenbach
Corcoran
Closed on approximately $321 million in sales volume in 2021, adding to her impressive career sales volume of $5.5 billion. Notable deal from 2021: 347 Jobs Lane, Bridgehampton. The modern waterfront home on Mecox Bay was a 2019 project by Breitenbach Builders and designed by Bates Masi + Architects, and sold for $25 million. Current top listings include 191 Highland Terrace, Bridgehampton, at $45 million, and 266 & 271 Marine Blvd., Amagansett, at $35 million. “January was one of the busiest months I can remember and all signs point to a strong 2022. One thing definitely hasn’t changed: everyone wants a house in the Hamptons,” she says.
Eloy Carmenate and Mick Duchon
Corcoran
The team has a 2021 sales volume of $413.3 million with an additional $55 million-plus in pending sales that closed this year. Notable deals: 6901 Collins Ave., the penthouse at L’Atelier in the oceanfront boutique building encompassing the 17th & 18th floors, $36 million, for seller Steve Hafner, CEO of Kayak.com; and 100 S. Pointe Dr. penthouse at $35 million, for seller, developer Ian Bruce Eichner. “The 2022 market is off to a strong start with no signs of slowing down. Dwindling inventory creates a unique challenge for clients and brokers, but we remain optimistic for the year ahead,” they say in a statement.
Chad Carroll
The Carroll Group at Compass
The former “Million Dollar Listing Miami” star and top agent for Compass Florida has a career sales total of more than $4 billion and racked up $848 million-plus sales in 2021. High-profile sales included Marc Anthony’s mansion for $22 million; the record sale of 4 Tahiti Beach for $29 million; Don Francisco’s Indian Creek estate for $24 million; and 870 S. Ocean, Palm Beach, for $29 million. He also sold a mansion to Stephen Marley, and has a $45 million listing in Boca Raton. “2022 will be record-breaking. Miami real estate has entered a new era and demand will continue to boom, with prices pushing even higher due to historically low inventory,” Carroll says.
Ernie Carswell
Douglas Elliman
In 2021, besides closing high-profile deals, Carswell filmed “Kendra Sells Hollywood” for Discovery Plus, and is a member of Elliman’s Sports and Entertainment Division. Last year’s sales eclipsed $420 million, with career sales crossing $2 billion. He broke a San Marino record when he sold the USC Presidential Mansion for $25 million, and represented crypto titan Wen Hou in his purchase of a Bel-Air mansion. “COVID-19 compelled us to embrace new protocols and showed us that we’re extremely adaptable and effective in continuing to conduct our business. We witnessed the real power of real estate attraction — even during a worldwide pandemic.”
Steven Cohen
Founder, the Steven Cohen Team
Douglas Elliman
Recorded $281 million-plus in 2021 sales, including 39 East 74th St., townhouse for $27.25 million; 49 East 68th St., townhouse for $26.5 million; “Crazy Rich Asians” producer Sidney Kimmel’s palatial 50 Central Park South home for $27.5 million; 515 Park Ave., 38/39 for $27.9 million. “Luxury townhouses in New York City’s neighborhoods are viable investment opportunities in 2022, especially for those in search of space and privacy,” Cohen says. “We’ve seen a surge in demand for townhouses since the pandemic, and the current lack of inventory will push values upward.”
Chris Cortazzo
Compass
Cortazzo had an extremely busy 2021, driving over a billion dollars’ worth of high-profile property sales, while seeing his lifetime sales figure exceed $8 billion. Notable deals, which were bound by NDAs, include tony properties along the Pacific Coast Highway with price tags of $87 million and $52 million, Malibu Road for $40 million, and Cliffside Drive for $39 million. The effects of the ongoing global pandemic haven’t slowed anything down, says Cortazzo: “We’ve followed all CDC and California health guidelines, and 2022 looks to be on par with 2021 in terms of activity, which was a record year in Malibu.”
Tim Davis
Corcoran
The top Hamptons agent added to his lifetime sales volume of nearly $5 billion with a 2021 closed sales volume of approximately $346 million. Notable deals from last year included the oceanfront Tudor mansion 840 Meadow Lane, Southampton, which sold for $70 million (neighbors include hotelier Ian Schrager and hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin, who bought Calvin Klein’s estate). Current listings include 160 Ox Pasture Lane, Southampton, at $69.5 million. “My position in the market allows me a first look at prime properties, so we are already off to a strong start in 2022 with over $200 million in contracts signed. Business is only looking up from here,” Davis says.
Sandro Dazzan
Managing Partner, the Agency, Malibu
Douglas Elliman
Last year, his sales hit $325 million including 6625 Zumirez Dr., 32554 Pacific Coast Hwy., 25160 Malibu Road; new notable deal is 21808 Pacific Coast Hwy., which just closed for $40 million. High-profile clients include Flea, James Perse and Mel Gibson. Top listings include 7377 Birdview Ave., 21808 Pacific Coast Hwy. and 29000 Newton Canyon Road. “In 2022, we are still seeing extremely high demand in the luxury market here in Malibu, but supply issues will slow the market down as inventory levels are at record lows. Due to COVID I did a lot more virtual showings and even sold several homes through FaceTime showings. Now, buyers are increasingly wanting to view in person,” Dazzan says.
Fredrik Eklund & John Gomes
Douglas Elliman
The influential duo lodged over $4.5 billion in sales during 2021, with career sales totaling over $20 billion. “The luxury market continues to reach new heights in 2022 as the number of high net worth individuals continues to rise, with these buyers starting a new trend of collecting homes as they do art,” says Gomes. Top deals from 2021 include $39.5 million for 265 S. Beach Road, Hobe Sound, Fla., and $38 million for 4130 Calle Isabella, in San Clemente, Calif. “This year will be equally strong, as low inventory remains, and prices are increasing despite rate hikes,” says Eklund.
Drew Fenton
Hilton & Hyland
Fenton’s high-profile client roster includes superstars Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, Chelsea Handler, Nicolas Berggruen, and Taylor Thomson. Notable 2021 sales include 13058 Rivers Road in Brentwood (the third highest sale in Westside history); 1011 N. Beverly Dr. (aka the Beverly House); and 619/617 N. Arden Dr. in Beverly Hills (the highest sale in the flats). “The market is at all-time record levels and we expect to see the same activity in 2022.” Current listings include Eva Chun Chow’s residence at 133 S. Mapleton Dr. in fashionable Holmby Hills.
Josh Flagg
President, Josh Flagg Group of Companies
Douglas Elliman
Another star of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” made a big splash in 2021 joining Douglas Elliman. Sales volume crossed $400 million, including 1650 Amalfi Dr., the Bloomingdale family estate, at $13.75 million; 25438 Malibu Road, Mathew Perry’s house, at $13.1 million; 1072 Newbern Conn., Wayne Gretzky’s house, at $17.55 million. Repped Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel’s Palm Springs compound, and represented both seller and buyer Carly Steel, former “Entertainment Tonight” host, in the old Doris Day estate. “[This year] will be stellar. January was our biggest month of closings in 15 years. We’ve been spoiled with such low interest rates but even if they rise, they’ll be much lower than in the past,” Flagg says.
Sally Forster Jones
Sally Forster Jones Group at Compass
Her 2021 sales of $737 million included such notable deals as the Brentwood Oasis (at $44 million, a record-breaker for Brentwood); 1471 Forest Knoll Dr. ($26.5 million, repped seller); 1150 Channel Dr. ($23.8 million, repped buyer); 1201 Laurel Way ($23 million, repped seller, off-market); 2304 Donella Circle ($16 million, record-breaking sale for upper Bel-Air). High-profile listings include 1460 Laurel Way ($35 million, Beverly Hills), the Paramour Estate ($29.5 million, Silver Lake) and 16041 Woodvale Road ($26 million, Encino). “In 2022, the market remains very difficult for buyers due to persistent extremely low inventory and fierce competition. This has inspired an increase in the popularity of off-market deals, especially within the luxury market,” she says.
Tomer Fridman
The Fridman Group at Compass
Fridman specializes in residential luxury estate properties and large-scale projects throughout Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Hollywood, Holmby Hills, Calabasas, Israel and Europe, and closed $610 million in 2021. Sold the largest property in Holmby Hills, listed at $115 million, and brokered an off-market $60 million sale for development in Bel-Air. Portfolio includes the iconic Chow Estate in Holmby Hills, the Azria Estate at $75 million and Sylvester Stallone’s Beverly Park home. Handled sales for Kanye West, Khloe Kardashian and Britney Spears. “Currently, the buyer’s palate is for the luxury products and curated estates with the highest quality of materials,” Fridman notes.
Carl Gambino
Compass
Gambino notched $325 million in sales over the course of 2021, bringing his lifetime cume to over $1 billion. Focusing on Los Angeles, South Florida and New York, he negotiated some mega-deals, including 3904 Valley Meadow Road in Encino for $15.2 million, while also representing sellers Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, and holding the highest Encino sale at $20 million. Other A-list clients include Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez and Renée Zellweger. “My hope is that the market will remain strong and buyers will continue to buy residential real estate as a hedge against inflation and for their personal enjoyment.,” says Gambino.
Ginger Glass
Compass
In 2021, Glass did more than $470 million in sales, bringing her career total to over $2 billion. She broke a record for the highest sale price in Beverly Center-Miracle Mile when she represented the seller on a $6.155 million deal for 8255 Oakwood Ave. The $12.165 million sale of 3316 Clerendon Road at Mulholland Estates also set records. “The 2022 luxury housing market will be vibrant, driven by the global economy’s continued recovery from the pandemic and the resurgence of international buyers looking to real estate as the safest investment,” she says.
Steve Gold
Corcoran
Top broker and star of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing N.Y.” has a career sales volume of $2 billion-plus and closed on approximately $400 million in 2021 sales. Notable closed deals: 15 Hudson Yards, penthouse 88A (last asking price $29.5 million, the highest recorded sale ever at the Hudson Yards master plan); 520 West 28th St. (penthouse 37, penthouse 39 and duplex 3-4). “2021 was a banner year for luxury real estate, largely driven by domestic buyers. But I expect that the international contingent will reenter the market in the months ahead, thus taking it to even new heights,” he says.
Dina Goldentayer
Douglas Elliman
Goldentayer is one of the Miami area’s hardest working agents, notching over $750 million in sales in 2021, including the highest vacant land sale ever, in Bal Harbour, for close to $55 million. Her $27.9 million sale of 29 Indian Creek Island Road in Indian Creek Village amounted to the highest price per square foot in Florida ($6,492). Dina has represented Alex Rodriguez, Georges St. Pierre, Tiesto, Dave Grutman and Don Francisco. And she’s very optimistic about the near future: “I definitely see Miami hitting a $100 million sale this year and I plan to make it.”
Jon Grauman & Adam Rosenfeld
Grauman & Rosenfeld
With 2021 sales cresting $750 million, the duo had another phenomenal year, working with high-profile clients including Dwayne Wade, Whitney Cummings, Norman Reedus and Diane Kruger. “We anticipate continued growth in the luxury sector throughout 2022. We’ve already seen multiple properties in the $20 million-plus range sell for unprecedented prices,” says Grauman. Notable sales from last year include 627 N. Carcassonne Road ($36 million); 720 N. Alta Dr. ($26.3 million); and 1012 Hillcrest Rd ($22.250 million). “The world has adapted to new ways of doing business, and it seems we’ve reached a point where most people are comfortable forging ahead,” says Rosenfeld.
Eric Haskell
The Agency
Haskell did more than $200 million in sales in 2021, including Matt Damon’s house at 1401 San Remo Dr., which sold over-ask for $18 million. Other big items include the highest beast sale in Montecito history at $45 million for an undisclosed property; 27405 PCH offered at $15,250,000; The Sanctuary in Carpinteria for $160 million; and 851 Buena Dr. in Montecito. “It’s looking like a robust year and the appetite is huge amongst high-end buyers,” says Haskell. “With low inventory, our biggest issue isn’t finding new buyers, it’s finding incredible properties.” Other A-list clients include the Hemsworth brothers, Rhonda Byrne and attorney David Boies.
Liz Hogan
Compass
Raked in $300 million worth of sales in 2021. Closed three deals over $25 million on Palm and Hibiscus Islands within one month. 94 Palm broke a record for the islands at $30 million, and sold 135 Palm for $29.5 million to venture capitalist Ben Ling, while 370 Hibiscus closed for $26.5 million. Closed a $13.5 million unit at the Four Seasons and sold a telenovela star’s home. Holds the record for three out of the six highest sales in the uber-exclusive Gables Estates. “I expect another extremely strong year in the luxury market with the continuing influx of buyers into the South Florida market,” Hogan says.
Julian Johnston
Corcoran
With a lifetime sales volume over $5 billion, the top Miami agent’s 2021 sales volume closed on $704 million-plus. Notable closed deals from 2021: 3029 Brickell Ave., Madonna’s former lavish estate that she owned from 1992-2000, sold for $29 million (represented the buyer); 2700 N. Bay Road rented for $130,000/month to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. Current listings include 432 Hibiscus Dr., at $33 million. “Miami has transformed itself from a popular tourist destination to one of the best places to live. With a market this strong, I anticipate 2022 is going to be an incredible year,” says Johnston.
Frances Katzen
Douglas Elliman
With total career sales hovering at $3.5 billion, Katzen represents some of New York City’s most prestigious luxury new developments, including Isay Weinfeld’s exquisite Jardim and Jean Nouvel’s 53 West 53rd, where last year she did the highest two-bedroom sale in NYC for the month of September, for $34 million. High-impact deals in 2021 included 11 E. 68th St., 9E for $24 million; 300 Central Park West, 18/19F; and Lantern House, 515 W. 18th St., Penthouse 1019. She notes, “My team secured $370 million in total sales volume last year, and we anticipate New York’s strength to continue in the 2022 market.”
Aaron Kirman
Aaron Kirman Group
Cresting $1 billion in sales in 2021, Kirman brought his lifetime sales haul to over $9 billion. He listed the One Bel-Air for $295 million, making it one of the most expensive homes in the world, assisted Ariana Grande with the selling of her $14 million home, and Justin Bieber with his $7.995 million home. “With inflation at a recent all-time high and a lack of inventory, 2022 will be an exceptional year for high-end real estate,” Kirman says. “The wealthy are looking for a place to park their money, and history has proven that with inflation, luxury real estate tends to thrive.”
David Kramer
David Kramer Group
Kramer’s shingle is coming off a record year, with the second highest recorded sale in Brentwood (13058 Rivers Road for $56.55 million), and a near $29 million sale at 73-74 Beverly Park, where he represented both sides, and 2500 Mandeville Canyon Road where he repped the buyer for close to $24 million. “I only see demand for quality homes growing and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve the needs of our partners and clients,” says Kramer. “2022 looks to not only continue this incredible trend in the high-end market, but is expected to surpass 2021 sales and every other year before.”
Eric Lavey
Sotheby’s
High-profile sales included Diplo’s purchase of a $13 million Malibu home; Jason Blum’s $11.4 million sale of a house in Fremont Place; Tom Cruise getting full asking price ($39.5 million); and sold a One Direction member his house. “Insatiable demand is stronger than it has ever been at every level of the luxury market, in every neighborhood. The issue for us is going to be in inventory and in L.A. everyone wants ‘special,’” he says. “‘Special’ is going to become very important this year. Properties that are considered special for whatever reason (pedigree, style, lot, view, etc.) are going to create even more insatiable demand in 2022.”
Chris Leavitt and Ashley McIntosh
Co-founders
The Leavitt /McIntosh Group at Douglas Elliman
The South Florida-based founding partners of the No. 2 team in the country had $700 million in 2021 total sales including 535 N. County Road in Palm Beach for $122.7 million, the state record for highest single-family home sale; 1020 S. Ocean Blvd. for $89.9 million; 12525 Seminole Beach Road/12210 Banyan Road, North Palm Beach, for $80 million. “We broke records on both the Island of Palm Beach and in West Palm Beach for single-family homes and condos,” they said in a statement. “We’re continuing to see more transactions at record numbers and record volume. 2021’s unprecedented year is continuing at the same pace into 2022 — we don’t see this changing anytime soon.”
Michael Martinez
ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
The top producing agent at ONE Sotheby’s Intl. Realty had $231 million in 2021 sales. Handles celebrity athletes including Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, whose home in Pinecrest sold in just three days, $110,000 over ask. First agent in history to close $100 million-plus in Pinecrest in a 12-month period. Exclusive listing agent of first-ever “MetaReal” Mansion — a mansion in the Metaverse that will be sold as an NFT with its exact replica in the real world. “2022 will prove to continue being a seller’s market with strong buyer demand. We expect prices to continue to rise as inventory remains low,” Martinez notes.
Linda May
Hilton & Hyland
Notable deals in 2021 include 1060 Brooklawn Dr., Holmby Hills, at $61.5 million; 1011 Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, at $63 million; 545 Mapleton Dr., Holmby Hills, at $42.85 million; 31134 Broad Beach Road, Malibu, at $29 million; 655 Funchal Road, Bel-Air, at $27 million; 1415 Devlin Dr., Sunset Strip, at $31 million; 1140 Tower Road, Beverly Hills, at $30 million; and 9970 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, at $25 million. Other high-profile recent sales include 514 Chalette Dr. in Trousdale Estates, an homage to mid-century modern design by architect Mark Rios, at $32.5 million. “Coming off a record 2021, we see continued interest and demand in the luxury market. With explosive sports, entertainment, weather and land, L.A. continues to be a worldwide destination.”
Jade Mills
Coldwell Banker Realty
Mills is Coldwell Banker’s No. 1 agent worldwide, and her expertise has propelled her to the top of luxury real estate agents in the country — especially Southern California. Some of her featured properties include 706 Summit Cove, Palm Desert, at $49.5 million; 617 & 619 N. Arden in Beverly Hills for $34.5 million; 1012 N. Hillcrest Road in Beverly Hills at$29.5 million; 120 S. Mapleton Dr. in Holmby Hills, $28.99 million; 1000 Ridgedale Dr., Beverly Hill, at $24.99 million; and 26944 Malibu Cove Colony at $16.99 million. “In the 32 years that I have been selling real estate, I have never seen a market this robust,” Mills says. “People are buying in every price category, but if you look at our statistics from 2020 to 2021, sales over $10 million were up 80%. We are starting 2022 with the same velocity, so the sky is the limit!”
Cooper Mount
The Agency
Mount’s high-profile clientele includes producer-manager George Shapiro, Citizens for Humanity co-founder Jerome Dahan, and Oscar-winning screenwriter Eric Roth, all of whom he represented on eight-figure deals. He had a record-breaking sale at Malibu Colony, selling 107A for $19.75 million, while handling 21808 PCH ($49.99 million); 7377 Birdview ($56 million); and 24051 Long Valley Road ($21.5 million). “I anticipate continued demand in top-tier micro-markets,” says Mount. “The main issue will be the inventory. Right now, any great homes that are priced right continue to sell at record speeds.”
Lauren Muss
Douglas Elliman
Racked up 2021 sales of $270 million, adding to career total of over $6 billion. Top deals included the Sherry Netherland, 781 Fifth Ave., #101, at $17 million; 443 Greenwich, #6GL, at $11.8 million; and 443 Greenwich, #2/3E, at $14 million. Already has $54 million closing in early 2022 including 1045 Madison Ave., penthouse, at $22 million, and currently has $25 million in contracts out with $90 million of active listings. Top career sales: the Pierre, 795 Fifth Ave., penthouse, at $44 million; 160 Leroy, penthouse, at $43 million; 20 W. 53rd Street, penthouse, at $41.7 million. “For 2022, as the brand-new condo inventory dwindles, the older condos and the co-op market in New York City will start to strengthen and regain attention,” Muss says.
David Offer
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Offer is routinely seen as one of the go-to agents involved in quality real estate transactions on the Westside. In 2021, his average sale price was $8.5 million, with $391 million in total sales, and 28 taking place in Brentwood. A recent notable sale was 601/607 Georgina, in Santa Monica. The impact of the pandemic has definitely changed the marketplace. “Dealing with COVID the last couple of years has resulted in people placing an even greater importance on their homes and ‘being home,’” Offer says. “As a consequence, it has contributed to a very strong real estate market at all price points.”
Jason Oppenheim
The Oppenheim Group
Oppenheim’s shingle is the setting for the wildly popular “Selling Sunset” on Netflix. In 2021, he closed 160 sales and had $417 million in sales volume. Some top deals include 11 Coral Ridge at $15.3 million and 1814 Doheny Dr. at $12.5 million. Listings include 1301 Dolphin Terrace at $19.9 million, 8899 Beverly Blvd. at $17.5 million (pending) and 9406 Lloydcrest Dr. at $14.9 million. Oppenheim opened a new office in Newport Beach and has sold close to $120 million in volume since opening its doors. “Selling Sunset” has become a pop culture phenomenon, with Season 5 set for release later this year. Season 1 of his new Netflix spin-off show “Selling the OC” will be shooting this year.
Clayton Orrigo and Stephen Ferrara
The Hudson Advisory Team
Compass
Led by Orrigo and Ferrara, New York’s top Compass team closed over $1 billion in deals last year. Sold the Rockefeller Upper East Side residence; represented the buyers of Tom Ford’s Ando-designed Santa Fe Ranch; and brought in the buyers of Marc Jacob’s $12 million West Village townhouse. “Lack of inventory still remains at the forefront of the luxury market, while demand continues to rise. As a result, we’ll see trading of high-quality properties off-market. From the start of the pandemic, we followed the ever-changing COVID protocols, focusing on the safety of both our clients and team, while also managing our business in the thriving market,” says Ferrara.
David Parnes and James Harris
The Agency
In addition to running their ultra-successful company, Parnes and Harris co-star on Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles,” and counted over $600 million in sales during 2021. With approximately $3B in lifetime sales to date, the team has worked with mega-deal clients including Demi Lovato and Rihanna. “The luxury market is currently very strong. Inventory is still extremely limited and we’re experiencing multiple offer situations in certain areas even in double digit price points,” says Parnes. High-profile sales from last year include 9344 Nightingale; 675 Perugia; Presidential Suite at Hotel Bel-Air; 2651 Nichols Canyon Road; and 1633 Queens Road.
Mick Partridge
Hilton & Hyland
Last year was another huge year and current listings include Petra Eccelstone’s $230 million Sloane House, the most expensive home in London (off-market); the Somma Estate, 10697 Somma Way, Bel-Air, at $78 million; the Azria Estate, 10250 W. Sunset Blvd., Holmby Hills, at $75 million, the Calvet Residence, 1061 Loma Vista Dr., Trousdale Estates, $27 million. Celeb clients include Lubov Azria (Herve Leger & BCBG), Laura Katzenberg and Mark Sudack, and street artist Mr. Brainwash. “Shifts toward larger multi-generational estates and secondary home sales played heavily in 2021,” he says. “Given the lack of inventory, these trends, coupled with the return of the international buyer, will keep the 2022 high-end market in Los Angeles very strong.”
Kurt Rappaport
Co-Founder
Westside Estate Agency
The star agent has racked up $1.3 billion in career sales. Repped both sides of a $177 million Malibu sale (the largest in California history) to buyer Marc Andreesen. Other notable transactions include the $87 million sale to Jan Koum; the $52 million Eli Broad home; the $47 million home of Ellen DeGeneres. Represented the $26 million Beverly Park home bought by Justin Bieber. Clients have included Larry Ellison, Madonna, Brad Pitt, Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen and Tom Cruise. “The inventory levels are at all-time lows, the demand in the luxury sector is very strong. The high-end market will remain very healthy for the foreseeable future,” says Rappaport.
Joyce Rey
Global Luxury Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Realty Beverly Hills
Rey was one of the listing agents on the Chartwell Estate, which, at $195 million, is currently the highest sale in the history of Bel-Air. Other highlights on her slate include 771 Garden Lane, Santa Barbara, at $22.5 million; 9152 Janice Pl., Beverly Hills, at $17.95 million (repped buyer); 713 N Hillcrest Road, Beverly Hills, at $25 million (repped buyer); and 920 Foothill Road, Beverly Hills, at $24 million. “[Last year] was an all-time record-breaking year for the luxury real estate market. Because of the obvious impact of significant inflation, 2022 promises to be the best year yet for all real estate, especially the luxury residential market because of its historic investment value and lifestyle enhancement,” Rey says.
Ryan Serhant
Founder, CEO, Serhant.
His eponymous brokerage Serhant. celebrated its first anniversary, and closed 2021 with nearly $1.5 billion in total sales volume. Key sales: repped buyer for 535 N. County Rd., Palm Beach, for a record-breaking $132 million — then the most expensive sale ever in Florida; repped buyer for 220 Central Park South in New York City for $33 million and the same client for a $39.5 million North Palm Beach mansion. Currently has the most expensive listing in Manhattan: the 96th floor penthouse of 432 Park Ave. for $169 million. “I’m optimistic that the luxury market will remain strong into 2022. International buyers are returning. I expect to see a continuing interest from crypto millionaires who are looking to diversify their assets,” he says.
Marc and Sara Shevin
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
With over $3 billion in career sales, specializing in the upscale gated communities of Calabasas and Hidden Hills, this powerhouse family team work closely with custom home builders to bring unique homes to their clients. Sold 35% of all listed properties in Hidden Hills in 2021 and 70% of all sales over $10 million with final 2021 sales of $420 million-plus. Key high-end deals: 5350 Lasher for $15.4 million; 5621 Hoback Glen Rd. for $15.6 million; 5546 Jed Smith for $18 million; and 24150 Hidden Ridge Road for $19.6 million. “We believe that 2022 will be another strong year as buyers continue to move here for the comparative values and great lifestyle,” they say in a statement.
Lisa Simonsen
Founder, the Simonsen Team
Douglas Elliman
One of the stars of new Discovery Plus series “Kendra Sells Hollywood,” who serves as mentor to reality show personality turned real estate agent Kendra Wilkinson, is also one of New York’s top agents. She has also expanded her business to Douglas Elliman’s Beverly Hills office as well as the Hamptons. Notable deals and records set include ABI Chelsea, 455 West 19 St., H1 (most expensive boutique new development, price-per-square-foot in 2021); 20 East End Ave., 16B (highest price-per-square-foot resale ever on East End Ave.); 63 Greene St., penthouse (Bella Hadid’s apartment); and 15 E. 70th St. A-list clients include Kelly Ripa, Lisa Ling and Hadid. “Demand in the luxury market will continue to outpace supply — particularly for homes that do not need a renovation,” she says.
F. Ron Smith and David Berg
Smith & Berg Partners, at Compass
The high-profile team did just under $600 million in total sales during 2021, including 1208 Georgina Ave. in Santa Monica, which listed for $8.85 million and sold for $11.4 million, and 521 20th St. in Santa Monica for $5.85 million. The lingering and game-changing nature of COVID required some new strategies. “We created completely unbranded versions of our property videos to send out to top agents with the hope that, since it didn’t have our branding, they would share it with their clients,” says Smith. The duo also sold Brooklyn Nets basketball star Blake Griffin’s Brentwood home for $7.35 million.
David Solomon
Solomon Property Group
Solomon’s company had another banner year, with 2021 sales exceeding $250 million, pushing the family-run business to over a billion dollars in total sales of west coast real estate. Notable deals include 130 S. Burlingame Ave., in Brentwood Park, at $16.995 million, and a $20 million package deal for 99, 101, and 117 Ocean Way. “2021 changed the luxury game, and 2022 will absolutely build on this momentum,” says Solomon. “With demand, competition, and prices skyrocketing, the luxury market is going to continue to diversify. Even with higher thresholds, clients are going the extra mile to prioritize property as the ultimate investment.”
Tracy Tutor
Douglas Elliman
The star of “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” racked up $300 million-plus in sales volume, including Brentwood’s No. 2 biggest sale on Rivers Road at $56.5 million. Other top transactions: a Rustic Lane Pacific Palisades traditional for $25 million; a Brentwood Park Estate for $22.2 million; a record-setting lease to a blockchain company on Abbot Kinney Blvd. for $50,000 a month. Notable listings include 3502 Avignon Ct. in Houston for $4.9 million, and 401 Moonrise Dr., Malibu, at $3.69 million. “2021 was record-breaking! I don’t think the luxury market will pivot much in 2022. While interest rates are slowly rising, low inventory is causing buyers to pay premiums up to 15% compared to 12 months prior,” says Tutor.
The Umansky Team: Mauricio Umansky, Eduardo Umansky, Farrah Brittany, Sharon Umansky Benton and Alexia Umansky
The Agency
The team racked up $270 million in 2021 sales. Notable deals include 720 N. Alta, 1401 Londonderry, 508 N. Alpine, 2709 Vista Oceano, 763 Willoughby Way (Aspen) and Seven Gables Inn. Top listings: The Sanctuary at Loon Point near Santa Barbara ($160 million), 7377 Birdview ($56 million) and 11490 Orum ($42 million). “The pandemic-induced market conditions of the last two years have swelled innovation, bringing consumer-facing technology to the forefront of the industry. We’re leveraging and investing in new technology, including NFTs, cryptocurrency, Proptech and data platforms, while fostering the human connection and never losing sight of the immense role of the real estate agent,” says
Mauricio Umansky.
Branden and Rayni Williams
Williams & Williams/The Beverly Hills Estates
The husband-and-wife team launched their own brokerage in 2020, a hybrid brokerage-meets- private-members club model that welcomes designers, architects and a select group of elite agents. They sold over $1.1 billion worth of property in 2021, with notable sales including the Weeknd’s $70 million home purchase and Eli Broad’s Malibu mansion for $52 million. “We’re only getting started,” they say. “In 2022, we can expect to see even more outrageous record breaking sales, the return of the foreign buyer, and a renaissance of condo living and big condo sales.”
Jill Hertzberg, Jill Eber, Judy Zeder
The Jills Zeder Group
Affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury International Luxury Alliance
Sold $2 billion in Southeast Florida in just 11 months of 2021, breaking their own record. Represented sellers (tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and husband David Lee, two-time NBA All-Star) and buyer of 7081 Fisher Island Dr. ($16.25 million); closed on 11501 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables for sellers ($13 million). “Miami is unique in the luxury market sector. The area has weathered a unique time in history and has emerged as a stable growing area without any noticeable drama associated with its economic and social stability,” they say.
